Top 10 Lakes around Frant

Beyond fishing, the area around Frant's lakes offers various outdoor activities. You can enjoy walking and cycling, particularly at places like Bewl Water, which provides extensive paths and bike hire. For more structured outdoor adventures, explore the many easy hikes around Frant, running trails, or road cycling routes available in the region.

Yes, several lakes and sites cater to families. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest features a 10 km paved family cycling trail with adventure playgrounds. Bewl Water offers walks, bike hire, a children's play area, and a water bus. Dunorlan Park Lake provides boating, a natural play area, and a cafe, making it a great spot for a family day out.

A notable historical site is Scotney Castle and Gardens. Here, you can explore the ruins of a medieval moated manor house situated on an island within a small lake, surrounded by picturesque gardens. The site also features Scotney New Castle, an early example of Tudor Revival architecture.

Frant Lakes is a premier angling destination with eight lakes and a section of the River Teise. It offers diverse fishing for species like mature English Carp (up to 35lb+), Perch, Bream, Roach, Tench, and more. Lakes like Match Lakes 1 & 6 are great for groups, Stumps Lake for unique 'pretty fish' like Golden Orfe and Ghost Carp, Waterfall Lake for easier fishing, and Specimen Lakes 7 & 8 for larger Carp up to 40lb.

Yes, the Frant Lakes complex provides several amenities for visitors. There's a lodge building with a 5-star hygiene-rated cafe offering meals from breakfast to dinner, and an outside patio. Anglers can also find a tackle shop stocking bait and essentials, and overnight visitors can use a shower suite. The cafe even offers delivery to fishing swims.

For easy walks, Bewl Water offers accessible paths around its large reservoir. Within Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, you'll find Louisa Lake, a peaceful spot with benches along woodland bike trails, suitable for a relaxed stroll. Dunorlan Park Lake also provides pleasant, spacious parkland for easy walks.

Many outdoor areas around Frant, including some lake paths, are generally dog-friendly, especially within the High Weald AONB. It's always best to check specific site regulations, but places like Bewl Water and Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest typically welcome dogs on leads.

The lakes are set within 150 to 200 acres of peaceful parkland with mature trees, offering a tranquil environment. Bewl Water, as a large clean water reservoir, hosts a wide variety of wildlife. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is known for its evergreen conifers and diverse forest ecosystem, where you might spot various bird species and other woodland creatures.

The best time to visit depends on your activity. Summer is ideal for fishing at lakes like Stumps Lake, which is primarily a summer fishing spot. Spring and autumn offer beautiful colors, especially at Scotney Castle and Gardens with its rhododendrons, azaleas, and spectacular autumn foliage. Winter walks can also be enjoyed, particularly around Bewl Water, which remains open year-round.

While popular spots like Bewl Water can attract crowds, you might find quieter experiences at some of the smaller, less prominent lakes within the Frant Lakes complex, especially away from the main car parks. Louisa Lake, nestled within Bedgebury Forest, offers a peaceful pause point on woodland trails.

Frant Lakes stands out as an extensive, family-run fishing complex established for over 30 years, offering a wide variety of fishing environments across eight lakes and a river section. Beyond its primary focus on angling, its setting within 150-200 acres of peaceful parkland provides a tranquil escape, complemented by on-site amenities like a cafe and tackle shop.